The more time I spend at home with my two toddlers, the more I have a desire to have fresh flowers around the house. When my sunflowers on the table finally wilted after two weeks, I decided to bring some greenery in from the backyard to fill the void. I took the girls with me on an “adventure” to find the perfect branches. Not only did we decorate areas of the house with branches in vases, but we decided to take it a step further and frame some as Wall Decor. Any leaves should hold between glass floating frames. You can find them at Target or your local craft store. If you are looking for a particular leaf , you can also use faux leaves. And why stop at leaves? You can frame flowers and more from your nature walks with your little ones!
Yellow Dress by @nicolefrancecoe / Toddler Purse , Blue Head Wrap and Cactus Pillow from www.theheartandarrow.com / White Vase, Frames and Table Runner by Target www.target.com / Fox Pillow by wildrabbitireland.bigcartel.com
Luvkins // Sweet Watermelon
Credits | 01. art print | 02. t-shirt | 03. wall stickers | 04. blanket | 05. cushion | 06. moccasins | 07. sneakers
This past Monday was National Watermelon Day – did you join the trend and have a slice of watermelon or two? If not, here are some trendy watermelon goodies that are as sweet as the real thing. Watermelons have been popping up this summer on everything from apparel to accessories and home decor, and with another month of summer left there is still plenty of time to enjoy this sweet and refreshing fruit.
Fun fact, did you know, watermelons are over 90% water?
Luvkins // Light It Up
01 | 02 | 03 | 04 | 05 | 06 | 07
String lights and fairy lights. I’m sure you’ve seen a lot of them around in recent weeks, but just because the holidays are over it doesn’t mean that you can’t keep some of their magic alive. There are plenty of playful ways to incorporate a little whimsy to your home with those playfully quaint little lights. Here are so fun ways for you to add them to your home decor all year round.
Featurekins // Lucky Boy Sunday
Lucky Boy Sunday is happy to present a new season – “Winter 14”
Lucky Boy Sunday is introducing some new secret friends, “Bad Eye Lily”, “Uffie doll” and little “Mause doll”.
“Bad Eye Lilly” got some ink in her eye and it turned bad, “Uffie doll” sometimes has very scary dreams, “Mause doll” is overwhelmed by his own cuteness. They also have some great new pillow cases – “Lucky pillow case” in 3 different color combinations and a very nice “Nulle pillow case”
Lucky Boy Sunday is a brand of modern luxury knitted art toys and soft furnishings for the home, inspired by an artistic take on the world of children. The brand’s Danish designers, Camilla Koerschen and Camilla Ebdrup, are highly creative textile designers with backgrounds in fashion and art, who founded their studio in 2007.
Their work magically straddles the worlds of adults and children, the everyday and the unusual, bringing a poetic, artistic sensibility to both the living room and the children’s room.
All Lucky Boy Sunday’s knitted designs are manufactured in Bolivia, where alpaca have been bred for their precious wool for centuries. All items are knitted in cooperatives working under the fair trade principle, using only the highest grade wool, which is as valuable and as soft as cashmere. Their designs are made to both withstand the rigors of child’s play and look stunning in an adult’s environment.
Quality and function, originality and familiarity, poetry and playfulness are all in harmony in the work of this exceptional brand. Lucky Boy Sunday’s heirloom-quality designs have graced in many international magazines and are sold in luxury design shops and the hippest children’s concept stores from Copenhagen to Paris, Tokyo to New York, who are charmed by Camilla and Camilla’s unique, artistic take on the world.
photographer // Andreas Stenmann //www.andreasstenmann.com
Featurekins // Interview With Artist Tamar Mogendorff
Tamar Mogendorff is a soft sculpture artist based in Brooklyn, New York. This talented artist has serendipitously found herself creating beautiful stuffed textile pieces that have found a home in the children’s market. Creating pieces that speak to her and come about through an organic process, Tamar’s whimsical sculptures connect with the child within us. The artist shares her inspirations, process, and even lets us in on the fact she has a collaboration with The Land of Nod in the works.
When did you begin creating these magical creatures?
I started around 12 years ago. It was a hobby that took off and became my main thing. It was unplanned, it just happened and has shaped itself over the years. I needed some time to actually figure out what is that I am doing – as it all surprised me. And still does. I had no idea that I was making objects or decor for children, until I realized that the bird cages are mobiles. The heads were also one of the first pieces I created. I loved the idea of the taxidermy aesthetic and now there so many of them around.
Did you complete formal studies in the arts or are you self-taught?
I went to art school and studied graphic design. It has been a part of my evolution. It taught me a lot about editing, colors and balance. I learned how to sew from my Mom. I consider myself an autodidact when it comes to my own work. I enjoy following my ideas rather than focusing on technique. I have a vision and I try to see how I can make it come to life the way I want. I taught myself to use a sewing machine; and I also taught myself how to crochet and sculpture. I am not sure I do it the “right” way, but it somehow works.
From where do you draw your inspiration? How is this inspiration then materialized?
Inspiration is so random. I sometimes get inspired while working on something and get ideas for other pieces. Inspiration can come from a fabric or from a new technique I’ve discovered. I am also inspired by colors and imagery from movies and my travels. I really believe in being present in the studio. Trying new things and letting myself go with all the ideas that flow while working. Fabric is also a great inspiration for me. The right fabric can help me create so many stories.
Is there a story behind each sculpture? You mentioned finding inspiration in fabrics, do you source textiles first or start with a sketch?
It varies… I always look for interesting fabrics. I often find a fabric and set it aside until I find the right use for it. Textiles provide endless opportunities – colors, patterns, textures. If it is a wool or a cotton or a linen, etc… Mixing textiles is a challenge that I love. So many stories can be found in this process. Dying the fabrics also adds to the layers and stories.
How does childhood inspire you?
The simplicity of happiness found in childhood inspires me. There is a kind of freedom that we long for as adults. In a way, I still have that feeling. I don’t create specifically for kids. I don’t think about what kids would like, I think about what looks and feels right for me. I think it is more about telling a story, we all like stories…and we are all a bit sentimental.
Is there a place that fuels you creatively, for instance, a room in your home, a street in your neighborhood or place you travel to?
New adventures, new places, people, nature and culture always fuel me. My studio is where the creativity is really happening in a physical sense. The ideas become objects. I love having this room for myself. My sanctuary.
Among the pieces you have created, do you have a favorite?
I like many of them for different reasons. Sometimes I make pieces to accompany a collection, so they are more of a story. I like when things come together easy and beautifully, such as the colors and sizes working together. I don’t think I have a favorite one. There are times when I feel that I need to make something I have not made for a while and it is really fun. Like realizing that I missed that design. I enjoy the little features, like the eye lashes, the long thread like feathers, etc.
You have collaborated with designers like Atsuyo et Akiko, what is this process like? Do you enjoy those sorts of collaborations?
I have collaborated with many designers and few years ago with Atsuyo et Akiko. It is fun and many times it gives you the ability to reach a new niche of clients and new styles. It has to be a successful combination between my work and whoever I collaborate with. It can be challenging at times, like collaborations I did with the Neue Galerie in New York, Megan Park Australia, etc. When it is a collaboration with a textile designer, there is the opportunity to work with unique fabrics and follow the vision of their collection and then I bring in my own view and style.
Are you currently working on a piece or project that you are excited about? Would you like to tell us a little bit about it?
I am working on a few very exciting projects, but I cannot reveal much at the moment. I will be doing some fun stuff for Land of the Nod, including a few display pieces for their main store in Chicago and some exclusive pieces. I have also made some exclusive pieces for other home decor stores and will have a fun special end of the year big sale/event.
Tamar Mogendorff// Website
Interview by Leslie Schor
FEATUREKINS // Oh Joy for Land of Nod
I would have to say that most of us are familiar with Joy Cho, the creative force behind the Oh Joy brand. Many of us know her as an inspiring blogger and a modern designer who seeks out the vibrant colors in life and incorporates them into her daily routines. Joy recently partnered with Land of Nod to create a colorful collection of bedding and décor with the little one’s style in mind. We had the chance to talk with her about this whimsical line and hear her thoughts on the creative process.
Your new line for Land of Nod is sprinkled with hints of warmth and summer and pops of color. Where did you pull your inspiration?
Ice cream is my daughter’s favorite food. When I was designing the collection, I thought a lot about what I would like to be surrounded by and everything about ice cream– from the bright colors to the endless choices of toppings. This really jumped out as the perfect concept for design. The other theme is called Pattern Party. It’s inspired by the drawings that children create when they’re first learning how to draw: simple, playful shapes like hearts, circle, and squares.
We love how colors and shapes play such an important role in your creations. From the products you design, to your home décor, to the look of your blog we see bold shapes and bright colors. Can you tell us a bit about your creative process and why you are attracted to such colors and geometrics?
The Oh Joy brand is all about adding happiness and inspiration to your everyday life. Everything I design starts with colors that are bright and fun and a play on mix-and-match patterns.
Speaking of pops of color, what are some of your favorite colors to work with?
I love the color green, but the shade I love changes every year. Right now it’s mint. I also love bright yellow, cobalt blue, and hot pink. My favorite neutral right now is shiny gold—I can never get enough.
You’ve partnered with Land of Nod in the past, and now you have an exclusive line created just for them just by you. What were some of your favorite steps in bringing this project to life?
My favorite part is getting to see things that I design in 2D turn into real life 3D items!
What do you think kids will love most about this line?
I think the Ice Cream and Cherry pillows are so cute. Many of Ruby’s friends sleep with the ice cream pillow every night!
What do you love most about this line?
I love that it can grow with a child. Whether it’s a baby, toddler, child, or pre-teen, it’s designed to last for a while and something she won’t get bored of too quickly.
The “Sundae Best Bedding” reminds me of a hot summer day when children wait at the edges of their lawns for the ice cream truck to come by. I have to ask, what is your favorite flavor of ice cream?
Mint chocolate chip, for sure.
It must be since mint is your favorite shade of green these days! Spring is finally in the air and I have a feeling that our Babiekins readers are ready to spruce up their little one’s rooms with a few fresh touches that reflect these warmer days. Any tips you can share with our readers?
You don’t necessarily want to spend a lot of money to refresh a child’s room, so smaller accessories like fun pillows and artwork are the quickest and least expensive way to update a room in a flash.
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You can see more of Oh Joy for Nod on Land of Nod and follow along with Joy’s daily journey on her blog Oh Joy.
Photographs by Bonnie Tsang and Land of Nod
Posted by Elizabeth, Copy Editor
SLEEPYKINS :: Mia’s Playroom / Top 5 Tips for the Perfect Playroom
Hello lovelies! Did you have a nice Memorial Day weekend? We spent most of ours outdoors in the sun, which was fantastic. And now as we ease back into routine on this Tuesday-which-feels-like-a-Monday, I have a great little dose of interiors inspiration to share with you all. Isn’t this a fun and colorful playroom? Mia’s mama, Abbie, was even so kind as to share her top five tips for the perfect playroom, which you can read after the images.
Tell us about Mia, the lucky girl who gets to use this playroom.
Mia is a very spirited three-year-old who is all about pretend play. She is an only child (so far — we are hoping to give her a younger sibling asap) and that means that I end up playing with her A LOT. It’s only been in the last month or so that she’s been happy playing by herself. So, it’s really important that I am happy in the spaces in which we spend so much time. 
Did you start designing the room before she was born, or more recently?
Actually, her playroom is a fairly recent development in our home. We’ve had the room since we moved into the house when she was only 8 months old, but at that time it was sort of an office, with some toys for Mia to play with when we were in there. Gradually, more and more toys started ending up in the room and the grown-up office stuff started disappearing, so it became a full-on playroom. Last Christmas when Mia got a play table and chairs and a play kitchen seemed to mark the real beginning of it feeling like a true playroom.
As the room starting coming together, did you work from a single design inspiration, or several?
I would say that there is both a main focal point AND also a lot of separate pieces. The main point of inspiration for me is COLOR. It almost always is. I love colorful spaces, especially children’s spaces. Mia’s toys are bright and colorful. I chose art for the walls that is too. The walls are white, so I felt color was even more important. I really love bright pops of color against white walls. Sometimes I think I might go a bit overboard with use of color, but usually those are just briefly passing thoughts. It sort of feels like a rainbow of a room to me.
What’s your favorite thing about the playroom?
I have two favorite parts in the playroom. One is the mini-gallery wall (the large “Apple Pappel” poster by Fine Little Day with the vintage map garland by Etsy artist Happy August, the “Bonjour” print by Allison Cole/The Land of Nod, the kraft letter “m”, and the picture book shelves/wall ledges. Every single time I look at either spot in the room, I smile.
As she gets older, is she having more and more say with what goes into the room?
Luckily for me, Mia is pretty easy-going about what rooms in our home look like. I do try to choose elements that remind me of her or seem like something she would like. She was so excited when our “Apple Pappel” poster arrived in the mail. She was so excited to see me put the Miffy poster (sent to us from friends in the Netherlands) in a frame for the wall. I have already started thinking about what it will be like when she has stronger opinions about the space around her some day; let’s just say I’m glad we aren’t there yet.
I spy Cactus Pups displayed in the little wooden house! Tell us more about your and Mia’s collections.
Before Mia was born, I collected Japanese pop culture toys. I already had A LOT of toys years before getting pregnant. I’m slowly trying to purge a lot of my collection, but my favorite items have and will remain for Mia (and I) to enjoy. Most of those items aren’t even out in the open in the playroom, but stored in the closet. The room has plenty in it already without all of my Japanese collectibles. There are some, of course. We have Tokidoki vinyl toys (i.e., the Cactus Pups) and blindbox toys (along with an assortment of other small toys) in baskets in a bookshelf. There are nine Sonny Angel dolls, which Mia and I both LOVE. There is an assortment of vintage Fisher-Price Little People toys: the blue and yellow dollhouse and the schoolhouse. I love wooden toys and have a great collection of wooden puzzles and wooden play food.
This whole room is such an inspiration! What are the top five elements which make a perfect playroom?
- COLOR — especially colors that promote gender-neutral play
- ACCESSIBILITY — ensure toys and other children’s items easily accessible to the children so they can reach their playthings without having to ask an adult for help
- STORAGE — install lots of good storage/shelving to free up space for playing on the floor
- ART — hang art which your children like
- TOYS — use favorite toys as inspiration in decorating
Thanks for sharing this delightful play space with us, Abbie!
SLEEPYKINS :: Jente’s Room in the Netherlands
From the VW wallpaper to the painted floors to the colorful details, this bedroom is enchanting. We’d kind of like to move right in! Thank you, Cindy of My Daily Garbage, for this lovely glimpse into your home.
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About this series: SLEEPYKINS features real rooms from real kids. Do you have a special place — your child’s bedroom, playroom, or favorite corner — you want to share with us? Send photos to gina@babiekinsmag.com! Details here.
